The critics’ case against Chuck Hagel

Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel is expected to be named as the Obama administration’s pick for Defense Secretary on Monday, but the Midwestern Republican has generated controversy in some corners of Washington and the foreign policy world for past positions on subjects, including Israel, Iran and gay rights. Here’s a look at what detractors call the case against Hagel:

1. In 2006, Hagel used the term “Jewish lobby,” a phrase some in the Jewish and pro-Israel communities have found offensive.

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“The political reality is … that the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here,” Hagel said in an interview. “I have always argued against some of the dumb things they do because I don’t think it’s in the interest of Israel. I just don’t think it’s smart for Israel.”

Abe Foxman, the head of the respected Anti-Defamation League, blasted Hagel for never walking back those comments. “What I find more troubling is, he had sufficient time to distance himself from the ‘Jewish lobby’ quote, to explain, and he hasn’t,” Foxman told POLITICO. “He let it stand. I find that more troubling than the original statement. He sees it out there, he sees it being seen as this truly conspiratorial view, that the Jewish lobby controls foreign policy, and there’s no comment.”

2. Called for “direct, unconditional, and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran.”

3. Long record of opposing sanctions on Iran — he was one of two senators to oppose the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act in 2001, The New York Times noted — in contrast to the Obama administration, which has increasingly ramped up sanctions over the last several years. Last fall, Hagel signed an op-ed signaling openness to a tougher line on Iran.

4. In 2006, in the wake of a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, was “one of only 12 Senators who refused to write the EU asking them to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” according to a 2007 release from the National Jewish Democratic Council.

The NJDC on Monday said Hagel would follow Obama’s lead on Middle East policy. “While we have expressed concerns in the past, we trust that when confirmed, former Sen. Chuck Hagel will follow the president’s lead of providing unrivaled support for Israel — on strategic cooperation, missile defense programs, and leading the world against Iran’s nuclear program,” the NJDC said in a statement.

5. Has called for direct talks with Hamas, a group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, and one that has pledged to destroy Israel.

6. In 1998, attacked the newly appointed ambassador to Luxembourg “openly aggressively gay,” a comment for which he apologized last month.

7. In 1999, was the only member of the Senate who did not sign a letter opposing growing anti-Semitism in Russia. At the time, a spokeswoman for the senator said Hagel had a policy of not sending letters concerning internal matters to foreign leaders.

8. In another comment that offended some in the Jewish and pro-Israel communities, has said, “I’m not an Israeli senator. I’m a United States senator. I support Israel, but my first interest is I take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States, not to a president, not to a party, not to Israel. If I go run for Senate in Israel, I’ll do that.”

I think that the critics have made the best case yet to appoint Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. I am in total agreement with President Obama's selection and I hope that he is able to carry out everything he stands for. Now if we can just get the idiots in Congress to actually do something for a change and confirm his nomination sometime before 2014 would be very nice.

Opposition to the man is strongest from DEMOCRAT constituencies, not Republicans.

Exactly and Barney Fwank just reversed his position today.

So look for others to follow.

Despite the fact the Dems just spent nearly a billion dollars to defeat rich rich Romney and dehumanize the rich republicans, now Obama nominates a multi millionaire like Hagel who made his money as CEO and investor of a voting machine and voting software company.

Can't get any better than this to highlite Democrat's hypocritical policy. What an illustration of it and setting the stage for Obama's 2nd term.

This list basically shows that Hagel is smart, independent and has convictions and the courage to act on them. The writer did try her best to make him look like he is anti Israel (I would like to know what group conveniently put this list together for her), but anyone who has been paying attention for the last 20 years knows full well that Hagel is very experienced in foreign affairs and pro American. We are Israel's friend and ally, not their patsy. Can we please stop participating in the character assassination and sliming of anyone that dares to disagree with Israel, because this is what this "list" is. Hagel seems like a excellent choice to me.

Missing from this list is Hagel's view of US defense forces. Almost everyone believed that the defense cuts threatened by sequestration would hollow out US defense forces. Not Hagel. He stated that the Defense Dept had bloat and needed pruning. And Obama wants to give this guy the scissors to do the job.

So as SecDef, I see Hagel cutting a lot, and damn the consequences. His positions on almost any subject is to the far left of the political spectrum. His supporters say he will strive to stop those cast as 'neocons', but again, Hagel will have to be clear that he will no hesitate when needed, something his past actions warn against. Can this man be trusted to send US forces into action when needed, or delay, delay, delay until the situation becomes a bloodbath?

... and what's wrong with this? it's all true, and if I may say, very admirable

“I’m not an Israeli senator. I’m a United States senator. I support Israel, but my first interest is I take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States, not to a president, not to a party, not to Israel. If I go run for Senate in Israel, I’ll do that.”